IU Kokomo students offered chance to lead at NCAA Final Four

KOKOMO, Ind. - The NCAA basketball Final Four is one of the biggest athletic events of the year, drawing crowds of thousands of fans.

Students from Indiana University Kokomo have the chance to be part of the team when Indianapolis hosts the event April 2-6, 2026 through a class offered by the School of Business this spring.

Applications to be one of 15 students selected for the NCAA Final Four class are available at go.iu.edu/8vEG, and are due Sunday, October 19.

The class is hosted by the NCAA and the Indiana Sports Corp., in an initiative led by JoAn Scott, NCAA vice president of men's basketball. IU Kokomo is one of six participating universities, along with IU Indianapolis, Indiana State, Butler, Ball State, and University of Indianapolis.

"IU Kokomo was the only NAIA program invited to participate, signaling an exceptional opportunity for our students, programs, and the university," said Larry Jinkins, assistant professor of sport and recreation management. "They will take leadership roles for the entire weekend and will have a team they are leading at a variety of Final Four events, such as concerts, the National Invitation Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Fan Fest, and the actual games at Lucas Oil Stadium."

Jinkins said the class is just one example of how IU Kokomo offers hands-on, real-world education.

"In terms of experience, it doesn't get any more real than this," he said. "They will get hands-on experience you can't simulate in a classroom. It isn't going to mimic real life; it will be real life and applies to many careers."

Jinkins noted that 2026 is the first time the Division I, Division II, and Division III men's basketball championships, along with the NIT, will be held in the same city.

Juniors and seniors from any major may apply for the class, as they will learn skills that apply to many careers

"This class is specifically aimed at taking students from how a city becomes a potential host for mega events like a Super Bowl or a Final Four," Jinkins said. "We will walk through every task, from marketing, bidding, recruiting volunteers, logo design, badging, and all the things that go along with hosting an event like this. They will learn everything it took Indianapolis four years to do, and they will go through that process in about 10 weeks."

Faculty from all six participating universities will be on hand as well to support students in their roles.

After the tournament weekend, students will make presentations to NCAA leaders, including suggestions for changes to make in the future, giving them the chance to see the event through students' eyes.

Classes will meet in person on their campuses Monday evenings and connect virtually with the other universities for collaborative sessions. Jinkins noted this is the first year for the program, which the NCAA plans to roll out to other Final Four host sites in the future.

"It's exciting to be part of that groundbreaking opportunity for other students and other universities," Jinkins said, adding that Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality faculty are committed to building a student culture that actively participates in world-class events.

"This course is just the first of many deep immersion experiences we plan to offer students," he said. "I can't think of a better way than to learn by experience. It directly leads to jobs. If you've been on the ground and you've been through the fire, that may be the differentiator between you and another candidate."

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